44 



FROM THE COAST TO KILIMANJARO 



of the natives, as we had so much to see to in camp ; amongst 

 other things, which always occupied a long time, was the 

 giving out of the daily poscho, or food-money, to the men. 

 Whilst still near the coast, where actual coin circulates, this 

 was paid in pesas, eight to each man, there being thirty-two 

 pesas in a rupee, the value of which is about two English 

 shillings. Later, beads and stuffs took the place of these pesas ; 

 or sometimes the food itself was distributed, and, of course, had 

 to be collected in large quantities beforehand. At the begin- 

 ning of the journey the distribution took place every day, with 

 the aid of our list of names, and we were thus also enabled to 

 check the desertions. The illness of many of the people also 

 gave us plenty to do, especially as some of them knew well 

 enough that they were not fit for service, and had only enlisted 

 with a view to securing the advance payment, which they 

 knew would not be taken back. 



Our next halt was to be at Malago Mbaruk. The way 

 there led first through a flat lowland clothed with tall marsh 

 grass, and then by a gradual ascent to the hilly district of 

 Usambara ; whilst the last stage of the journey was over a 

 grassy height, all the vegetation of which had lately been 

 burnt by the natives, with the result that the heat and glare 

 made breathing difficult. But we soon gained the welcome 

 shade of the wood, in which our camp was to be pitched. We 

 chose a spot where a small clearing had been made in the 

 thicket, but it was strewn with the vermin-haunted remains of 

 huts and all manner of refuse, which we had to clear away to 

 begin with ; and then the ground had to be thoroughly cleaned. 



We meant to go from this camp to Kwa Fungo, on the 

 north side of Mount Tongwe, but long before we got there our 

 march was interrupted in a very unexpected manner. 



On account of my having to see about other arrangements 

 for the loads left unappropriated, by the sick and the deserters, 



